May 11th, 2020

May 11th, 2020

Thanks for joining me today! Watch the video, and the meeting notes are below it.

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• Coronavirus - you need to change your mindset and look into online work.
  • Actors MUST be online and learn how to record self-tapes.
  • You MUST learn how to use equipment and how to act for screen
  • Background actors are not going to have much work anymore
  • Now’s the time to start building relationships with people - start small so that in a couple months, when things resume, you’re friends with lots of high people.
• So how do you network with people you don’t know?
  • Look them up online
  • Find out at least ONE thing you can learn from them or you find very interesting about them
  • Use it as the premise for a cold email - thank them for it.
  • After you send that initial email, follow up after 2 weeks by thanking them for something else, or reiterating a SECOND thank you for the first thing (and why you’re thanking them again).
  • Send them an email 3-4 weeks later showing them how something they were involved in helped you become a better person or get an opportunity somehow.
  • Then continue following up with those types of emails every 6-8 weeks.
  • On the third email and after, you can mention to them that you’re looking for audition opportunities, and if they or anyone they know is holding auditions, you’d love the opportunity to be considered.
    • The more specific you are thought the better.
  • EXAMPLE:
    • I want to network with a casting director, so I look up their name online and find a video where they explain the top 3 things casting directors hate during auditions.
    • Oh wow, I never knew they hated when I do a very formal slate - that’s news to me!
    • I’ll email them thanking them for what I’ve learned, saying I’m going to apply it.
    • Two weeks later, I’ll send them another email saying I also enjoyed their video about why a casting director will never tell you what they want. I’ll thank them for what I learned.
    • Now at this point, the CD knows who I am.
    • 4 weeks later I’ll email them saying those two things have definitely made a difference and I’m starting to understand how casting directors operate. I appreciate what they taught me. I’ll mention I also see they are casting for an upcoming film, and I thought the role of Bruno would be perfect for me if they’re still looking to fill in any roles.
    • Chances are, they might allow me to submit a self tape!
    • If not, I’ll keep following up with this every 6-8 weeks, for different characters and projects, and eventually something will stick.
    • If they never respond top any messages and it’s been at least 4 months, only then will I consider stopping emailing them.
    • If you do this with 100 casting directors, how much work fro you think you’ll get after a while?

• Time for Questions
  
  1. How do I find an agent during the coronavirus?
     1. Agents are actually more likely to respond to your email right now since they have a lot more free time.
     2. The same rules apply for finding an agent now as do when life is normal - except you might not be interviewing or auditioning in person.
     3. Some agents ARE signing actors right now.
     4. Key things you MUST do to have shot at landing an agent:
        1. You must first figure out who you want to target and why, and then build your campaign and marketing materials around those agents specifically. Don’t try to send a mass copy and paste email to everyone.
        2. Key things to contacting an agent - be sure you’re clear on your brand and your headshot, resume, and reel are up to date.
        3. Once you know who you’re contacting, figure out at least 2 reasons why they would want YOU on their roster. What are you bringing to the table for them? The mores sppecific you are the better.
        4. Then, write your cover letter (making sure it’s short), and start sending out submissions or cold emails. I recommend starting with 5 agents, seeing whether they respond, and then doing 5 more. Keep going until you’ve submitted to at least 25 agents.
        5. You should get a few positive responses and be able to meet or at least speak with them.
        6. You can even use the networking strategies I outlined earlier to stay in touch with them if they’re not ready to sign with you yet.
        7. The biggest reason most actors don’t have an agent is because they don’t actually send personalized messages out asking for representation – they just wait, hoping to be discovered (or they send a hundred canned copy-paste messages which never works).
        8. Be specific and personal and you WILL eventually get what you want.
        9. I have a very in-depth course called Land an Agent, and you can learn about it here.
           
  2. How do I get a professional headshot right now?
     1. No one is legally allowed to shoot headshots, but you do have a few options:
     2. First, look to see if photographers are willing to skirt around the laws and do your headshot anyway. Some definitely are – they can do your photos outdoors in a park and make sure to stay at least 6 feet away from you. This way everything is fine.
     3. If that’s not an option, some companies offer virtual headshots where they either take your photo using your own iPhone or computer camera, or they guide you on how to do it yourself.
     4. You can also get a friend to take your shots, and if you’re going to do that, definitely give this guide a read through.
     5. But it’s more important to be sure that you’re READY for a headshot. Do you really need one yet? Or can you wait another month or two until photographers are shooting again?
     6. Right now perhaps you might want to focus on your reel, resume, or website.
        
  3. I have a lot of free time right now and want to design an actor website. How can I do that for free?
     1. Right now is definitely a good time to work on putting together your marketing materials.
     2. I recommend using Weebly, Squarespace, or Wix.
     3. They offer template design and you can drag and drop, so it’s very simple.
     4. Most of them have a free plan but you can eventually pay to remove their logo like Create your own free website with Weebly!
     5. Make sure to build your website around your brand. If you’re not sure of your brand, watch this video.
     6. You need a Welcome page
     7. About page
     8. Blog/Works page
     9. Media page
     10. Resume page
     11. Contact page
     12. Ensure it’s super simple and easy to navigate.
     13. You can also include raves and reviews, especially from someone noteworthy
     14. Here’s an example site I built for a client - you can use as a sample: https://www.jamessarli.com
         1. Note that I would prefer you embed your reel instead of making it a downloadable file like he did. It should just be a video player so someone can press Play and watch it.
     15. If you want my feedback on your site, feel free to email me the link once you’ve put it together!